I realize most of you won't have a bottle of Hamilton-Beachbum Zombie Rum and even more of you just don't have access. If anyone has a good alternative, reply here. I'd suggest an overproof Demerara rum and a flavorful Jamaican rum. The original Don blend also had a Puerto Rican, but I'd skip it. If you get yourself 2 oz that total around 55% - 60% ABV you'll be in the right ballpark. A split of 151 and a 80 proof will get you there.
Would it be a problem to switch which rum is overproof? Say, 0.75 of El Dorado, 1.25 Smith & Cross? Or to boost the ABV a bit more - 0.75 El Dorado, 0.75 Smith & Cross, 0.5 Plantation OFTD?
Sitting on my couch, sipping on my first fully-realized Original Zombie with the best home-made ingredients, all while watching your wonderful video on the drink itself. Feels like i just pulled up to your bar, my friend! What a beautiful drink. Had to share my joy with someone, and i took a picture of it to commemorate! Cheers
I've tried the original(1934) Zombie many times, but I always thought something was missing. The best Tiki IMO is the Voodoo Grog. Quite a stunning mix of flavours.
Derek, I just discovered your channel and I absolutely love it. The production value, the information, your charisma, it's fantastic. Keep up the good work, I'm a big fan.
Like the Mai Tai, one can play for days with the rum combo. Current preference 1/2 oz Over Demerara Rum, 3/4 aged Puerto Rican Rum, 3/4 oz (split of Coruba and Smith and Cross). I have teh Zombie Horde book that has way more variations on how other hotel chains have made it their own.
Nathan, great request! Derek, help us solve one of the greatest issues to plague old skool tiki drinks: What do you do if you can't find white grapefruits? Bottled white grapefruit juice is even harder to find that fresh white grapefruit. Asian and Farmer's markets have been my best source for white grapefruits when they are in season, but what do you do if you can't get white grapefruit? What's the best alternative?
Good question and I don't have a definitive answer because I have not taste tested fresh Ruby Red vs bottled White Grapefruit, but I saw a recent post by @atomicgrog that said they preferred bottled white to fresh ruby red (that may just be for that specific cocktail). In this recipe, I used bottled. It's been years since I have seen white grapefruit in Northern CA and I'm not willing to search high and low to _maybe_ find it.
I got the same recco as @makeanddrink mention above from a couple bartenders at a tiki event: bottle white grapefruit (specifically Ocean Spray brand), is what they suggested for cocktails.
For whatever reason I originally wrote off this rum, maybe 'cause I didn't see the sense in buying it just for the Zombie, which I hadn't cared much for in the past. But I decided to grab it and I have to say-this really does make me a convert. The Zombie made with this rum blend is absolutely amazing!
My undeniable fav tiki drink, more festive and exotic than good ol reliabe: mai-tai. Please do more deep dives into different variations if you can find it.
I'm gonna have to try this version. I tried the recipe in Smuggler's Cove and it's way too strong for me with 4 ounces of rum and 1 ounce of it being overproof.
One other good version to try is Paul McGee’s (of Lost Lake fame) zombie. Legendary bartender and has great recipes for tiki classics among other things.
The drink looks good and isn't that stong for a Zombie. That was always my biggest problem with this cocktail. It has to much alcohol for a single drink and is hard to scale down. Thank you for the video. Did you ever try The Undead Gentleman by Martin Cate? It's one of my favorites versions of the Zombie. The recipe can be found in the books Smuggler's Cove and Professor Cocktail's Zombie Horde.
This is an awesome idea! In cities on the West Coast, it’s often easier to find pomelos than white grapefruits. I know grapefruits are themselves hybrids of the pomelo and the orange, so I wonder if the best sub might be some mix of pomelo juice and ruby grapefruit juice. Have you ever tried the pomelo swap yourself?
Is that fresh squeezed grapefruit? Because if it is, I’d love to know where you’re getting them! Not saying I’ve looked hard, but I still haven’t come across them.
Oh! I've had this one. (I was ALL OVER the Zombie Blend when it first came out). Its rock solid...my fav zombie remains the AKU AKU ZOMBIE (1964) though
Yes. I use dropper, but usually use 3 drops instead of 6. I also have played around with the Herbstura from Smugglers Cove (1/2 Pernod 1/2 Angostura). I find that works to keep the absinthe “burn” down to a quiet roar. P.S. Keep up the great work! Best tiki-centric show on The Tube!
Bottled Juice section at CVS. Even bottled white grapefruit is hard to find. I needed it for another recipe and it works well enough here. Unless you live in Florida or maybe Southern CA, the only other way to get White Grapefruit that I know of is finding a Delorean that get's up to 88 MPH
Funny you posted this today, I saw what I think is the worst zombie recipe a couple of weeks ago.. spiced rum, Malibu, white rum, aged rum. Pineapple, Orange and lemon juices, shaken and then poured, add a dash of grenadine to the glass….and top with….Midori…
Went out and bought a bottle on your recommendation. Definitely agree on this being the best version. First palatable Zombie I've had! Much better balance across the board and it makes for an actual good drink rather than something that has a reputation because it's overly boozy.
The back of my bottle of Zombie Blend has Grenadine, Angostura and Pernod all at a Dash (8 drops{or 1/8 tsp}) each whereas your vid has Grenadine at 1 tsp. Wondering if this was a typo on my bottle or a mistake in the video?
No shortage of fake zombies today. Some are close some are putrid. Ones with barcardi clear + bacardi gold = metllic after taste yuck. Here is one that hits hard and is close to the original in potency (unlike this video) and it won a Zombie competition taste contest. 1 1/2 ounces Puerto Rican rum, preferably Havana Club Añejo Clásico (sub Bicadi gold and superior clear with poorer results) 1 1/2 ounces Jamaican rum, preferably Hampden Estate 8-year (ive subed in Appleton Estate Signature with great results) 1 ounce overproof Demerara rum, preferably Hamilton 151 3/4 ounce lime juice 1/2 ounce falernum, preferably Maggie’s Farm Falernum Liqueur 1/2 ounce Don’s Mix (grapefruit + cinnamon syrup) 1 tablespoon grenadine 2 dashes absinthe (American Fith 120 proof) (can sub in paranod) 2 dashes Angostura bitters That will come closer in terms of potency which was the hallmark of the original. Many versions are watered down and don't have the taste or potency Beach Bum - 2 OZ rum 118 proof Award winner or Real Zombie - 4.5 OZ rums 151 + 80 + 80 + 121 + 21 proof. So it will not hit as hard but will it taste better? Not sure I will have to match them head to head and see. I like that the Beach bum is easier to make combining 3 rums in one bottle. But can it match the combo of tri fecta of rums listed above? Many are shacking heads no but it will be fun to try.
I realize most of you won't have a bottle of Hamilton-Beachbum Zombie Rum and even more of you just don't have access. If anyone has a good alternative, reply here. I'd suggest an overproof Demerara rum and a flavorful Jamaican rum. The original Don blend also had a Puerto Rican, but I'd skip it. If you get yourself 2 oz that total around 55% - 60% ABV you'll be in the right ballpark. A split of 151 and a 80 proof will get you there.
Would it be a problem to switch which rum is overproof? Say, 0.75 of El Dorado, 1.25 Smith & Cross? Or to boost the ABV a bit more - 0.75 El Dorado, 0.75 Smith & Cross, 0.5 Plantation OFTD?
@@paulg6778 If I was you I'd go with option 2 because it looks delicious.
I've had great results with Plantation overproof 69% , Plantation white 3 years and Bacardi 8
Do rum combinations for zombie like u did for maitai plz
There was a whole month dedicated to it! Check out Ultimate Mai Tai for that rum blend.
Sitting on my couch, sipping on my first fully-realized Original Zombie with the best home-made ingredients, all while watching your wonderful video on the drink itself. Feels like i just pulled up to your bar, my friend! What a beautiful drink. Had to share my joy with someone, and i took a picture of it to commemorate!
Cheers
I've tried the original(1934) Zombie many times, but I always thought something was missing. The best Tiki IMO is the Voodoo Grog. Quite a stunning mix of flavours.
Derek, I just discovered your channel and I absolutely love it. The production value, the information, your charisma, it's fantastic. Keep up the good work, I'm a big fan.
Like the Mai Tai, one can play for days with the rum combo. Current preference 1/2 oz Over Demerara Rum, 3/4 aged Puerto Rican Rum, 3/4 oz (split of Coruba and Smith and Cross). I have teh Zombie Horde book that has way more variations on how other hotel chains have made it their own.
I love that Zombie! And the blend is absolutely delicious. It's great for a lot of things, like a Jet Pilot.
Thanks!
Great video! I’m obsessed with Beachbum Barry’s books and Martin Cates! Such great stories, amazing drinks!
Good video!
With every new video of yours, I find myself ready to buy a new bottle of something. Well done, sir! Looking forward to the falernum recipe.
Finally have all the ingredients. Will try and can't wait. Akso I love the music, which track is that?
All the music if from Epidemic Sound or Artlist
Whoever requested this one is one heck of a guy! 😂 Nice treatment of this monster of a cocktail. (No pun intended).
Hail to the Beachbum!
He’s okay.
I have this rum, and have made this recipe. So far, my favorite Zombie, or Zombie riff, is Jason Alexander's Atomic Zombie, by a wide margin.
Nathan, great request! Derek, help us solve one of the greatest issues to plague old skool tiki drinks: What do you do if you can't find white grapefruits? Bottled white grapefruit juice is even harder to find that fresh white grapefruit. Asian and Farmer's markets have been my best source for white grapefruits when they are in season, but what do you do if you can't get white grapefruit? What's the best alternative?
Good question and I don't have a definitive answer because I have not taste tested fresh Ruby Red vs bottled White Grapefruit, but I saw a recent post by @atomicgrog that said they preferred bottled white to fresh ruby red (that may just be for that specific cocktail). In this recipe, I used bottled.
It's been years since I have seen white grapefruit in Northern CA and I'm not willing to search high and low to _maybe_ find it.
@@makeanddrink Quick question, where did you pick up bottled White Grapefruit juice in Nor Cal?
I got the same recco as @makeanddrink mention above from a couple bartenders at a tiki event: bottle white grapefruit (specifically Ocean Spray brand), is what they suggested for cocktails.
For whatever reason I originally wrote off this rum, maybe 'cause I didn't see the sense in buying it just for the Zombie, which I hadn't cared much for in the past. But I decided to grab it and I have to say-this really does make me a convert. The Zombie made with this rum blend is absolutely amazing!
zombie is probably my favorite tiki drink. so delicious
Can you tell us about the acquisition of the Wray and Nephew 17 bottle? (I'm surprised I'm the first one to mention it!)
Not real. From the "History of the Mai Tai" video
My undeniable fav tiki drink, more festive and exotic than good ol reliabe: mai-tai. Please do more deep dives into different variations if you can find it.
What’s your cassia syrup recipe? Wish I could find white grapefruit as well.
I'm gonna have to try this version. I tried the recipe in Smuggler's Cove and it's way too strong for me with 4 ounces of rum and 1 ounce of it being overproof.
What’s the name of the song in the beginning? Also, can’t wait to make this myself
How is the Beachbum Rum in a Mai Tai?
Still waiting for Hamilton rums to make their way to Canada... at least BC.
Not Canada but I would love to find some Hamilton bottles local to me as well. Checked a few stores and no luck:')
My GF grabbed me a bottle at Vine Arts in Edmonton 2 weeks ago...
What would you substitute the Hamilton rum with as we don’t have it in the uk….
I'd suggest an overproof Demerara rum and a flavorful Jamaican rum.
Appreciate the simplified Zombie, Zombie's are great but everyone complicates them till they're nothing but a boozy mess... Cheers!
บรั่นดี ที่ใช้คือยี่ห้ออะไรหรอครับ
One other good version to try is Paul McGee’s (of Lost Lake fame) zombie. Legendary bartender and has great recipes for tiki classics among other things.
The drink looks good and isn't that stong for a Zombie. That was always my biggest problem with this cocktail. It has to much alcohol for a single drink and is hard to scale down. Thank you for the video. Did you ever try The Undead Gentleman by Martin Cate? It's one of my favorites versions of the Zombie. The recipe can be found in the books Smuggler's Cove and Professor Cocktail's Zombie Horde.
You're lucky, I'm waiting here in Ontario.
Oh yes I saw that
On the topic of white grapefruit's elusivity, have you ever tried to sub with something like pomelo?
I have not yet
This is an awesome idea! In cities on the West Coast, it’s often easier to find pomelos than white grapefruits. I know grapefruits are themselves hybrids of the pomelo and the orange, so I wonder if the best sub might be some mix of pomelo juice and ruby grapefruit juice. Have you ever tried the pomelo swap yourself?
Without the grenadine and cinnamon syrup, it is almost identical to Don’s Swizzler, or am I thinking of the QB Cooler?
Is that fresh squeezed grapefruit? Because if it is, I’d love to know where you’re getting them! Not saying I’ve looked hard, but I still haven’t come across them.
It's not fresh! However, the bottled version is almost as difficult to find.
I’ve wondered about acid adjusting pink grapefruit to match yellow?
Trickiest thing for me with zombies is the Pernod/Absinthe. I usually dial it back since it can be so overpowering.
You should try this one. 1/8 teaspoon isn't much, with everything else going on. But you do miss it when it's gone.
Oh! I've had this one. (I was ALL OVER the Zombie Blend when it first came out). Its rock solid...my fav zombie remains the AKU AKU ZOMBIE (1964) though
I’ve made this version without the Pernod and it was not as good. You could always use a dropper to fine tune
Yes. I use dropper, but usually use 3 drops instead of 6. I also have played around with the Herbstura from Smugglers Cove (1/2 Pernod 1/2 Angostura). I find that works to keep the absinthe “burn” down to a quiet roar.
P.S. Keep up the great work! Best tiki-centric show on The Tube!
I can oddly get the zombie blend... but not 86 or 151 so I will be making zombies more often.
Derek - where are you finding white grapefruit?!?
Bottled Juice section at CVS. Even bottled white grapefruit is hard to find. I needed it for another recipe and it works well enough here.
Unless you live in Florida or maybe Southern CA, the only other way to get White Grapefruit that I know of is finding a Delorean that get's up to 88 MPH
If you have a kroger local to you, I almost always find it in the juice aisle.
Zombies do NOT die. Thats actually their "speciality"
Funny you posted this today, I saw what I think is the worst zombie recipe a couple of weeks ago.. spiced rum, Malibu, white rum, aged rum. Pineapple, Orange and lemon juices, shaken and then poured, add a dash of grenadine to the glass….and top with….Midori…
👀
Or to Europe no hamilton available here
Went out and bought a bottle on your recommendation. Definitely agree on this being the best version. First palatable Zombie I've had! Much better balance across the board and it makes for an actual good drink rather than something that has a reputation because it's overly boozy.
The back of my bottle of Zombie Blend has Grenadine, Angostura and Pernod all at a Dash (8 drops{or 1/8 tsp}) each whereas your vid has Grenadine at 1 tsp.
Wondering if this was a typo on my bottle or a mistake in the video?
The recipe from BeachbumBerry.com is 1 tsp grenadine, 1 dash Angostura, 1/8 tsp Pernod so they are slightly different recipes.
@@makeanddrink interesting, thanks for clarifying!!
Personally i think the Mai Tai is over rated and would rather a zombie any day.
I've always found the zombie to rum and acid forward. overrated for me.
smugglers cove undead gentleman works a little better for me!
No shortage of fake zombies today. Some are close some are putrid. Ones with barcardi clear + bacardi gold = metllic after taste yuck.
Here is one that hits hard and is close to the original in potency (unlike this video) and it won a Zombie competition taste contest.
1 1/2 ounces Puerto Rican rum, preferably Havana Club Añejo Clásico (sub Bicadi gold and superior clear with poorer results)
1 1/2 ounces Jamaican rum, preferably Hampden Estate 8-year (ive subed in Appleton Estate Signature with great results)
1 ounce overproof Demerara rum, preferably Hamilton 151
3/4 ounce lime juice
1/2 ounce falernum, preferably Maggie’s Farm Falernum Liqueur
1/2 ounce Don’s Mix (grapefruit + cinnamon syrup)
1 tablespoon grenadine
2 dashes absinthe (American Fith 120 proof) (can sub in paranod)
2 dashes Angostura bitters
That will come closer in terms of potency which was the hallmark of the original. Many versions are watered down and don't have the taste or potency
Beach Bum - 2 OZ rum 118 proof
Award winner or Real Zombie - 4.5 OZ rums 151 + 80 + 80 + 121 + 21 proof.
So it will not hit as hard but will it taste better? Not sure I will have to match them head to head and see. I like that the Beach bum is easier to make combining 3 rums in one bottle. But can it match the combo of tri fecta of rums listed above? Many are shacking heads no but it will be fun to try.
Thanks!
Thank you!